Cover for sap-buckets.



I w. H. COTTON.

COVER FOR SAP BUCKETS.

APPLICATION FILED cm. 22. 1915.

1,228,096. V Patented May 29,1917.

WILLIAM 11. common, or sl m, NEW 1031:.

COVER FOR SAP-BUCKE'IS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 1917.

Application filed October 22, 1915. Serial No. 57,330.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, WILLIAM H. Oo'rroN, a citizen of the United States, reslding at Salem, in the county of Washington and State, of New York, have invented certain new and useful-Improvements in Covers for Sap-Buckets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therem to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to covers tor sap buckets, and has for its principal ob ect the production of a simple and efficient cover which may cover the sap bucket while the sap is being drawn from the tree, so as to prevent any refuse whatever from acc1- dentall falling into the bucket.

Another ob ect of this invention 1s the roduction of ajcover for sap buckets which 1s adapted tocover the bucket when desired but which may be easily swung to an open osition for allowing free access to the ucket or allow the bucket to be removed, this cover being provided with a very s1mp1e and eificient means for automatically and positively retaining the same in an open position.

Another object of this invention is the production of a spout having a simple and efiicient means for retaining a hook thereon, whereby the cover may be pivotally and detachably secured thereto while the hook is constructed to carry a bucket so that the entire structure may be easily supported upon atree. a r v With these and other objects in view, this invention relates to certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully dBSCI'lbBd and claimed.-

In the accompanying drawing;

Figure 1 is a detailed perspective v1ew of the cover as constructed in accordance with this invention, showing the same carried the spout, and illustrating the manner 1n which the same is used;

Fig. 2 is a detailed perspective View of the inner portions of the cover, showin the same swung to an open position, and lllllS- trating thesame in use. 3 Y

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the cover for sa buckets.

Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section through the cover, showing the spout in 1ongitudinal section.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the ppout and hook carrled thereby in dotted ines.

Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals it will be seen that the device is adapted to be used in connection with any tree as disclosed at 1. The spout 2 in combination with which the cover is adapted to be used, tapers toward its inner end adjacent which is formed the aperture 3, so that when the inner end 4 of the spout is carried within the tree 1, as shown in Fig. 1, the sap may be passed through the aperture 3 into the interior of the spout 2. This spout 2 is provided with the guide portion 5 which is adapted to guide thesap which is passed into the interior. of the spout 2 into the bucket. The spout 2 is provided with'an integral' shoulder 6 upon its upper portion adjacent which is formed the lug 7. A hook 8 is adapted to be passedoyer the end i of the spout 2 so as to allow its open portion 9 to pass over the lug 7, at which time it may be swung so as to depend from the spout 2, whereby it will be possible to retain the shoulder 6 and lug 7. This spout is also provided with registering openings 10 formed adjacent the shoulder 6, 'for purposes to be hereinafter set-forth.

The cover 11 is formed from a blank and comprises a body having a central'rib 12. This rib diverges'from 1ts forward portion toward its rear portion and its height increases toward its rear portion, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4:. From each side edge of the body 11 there isformed depending flanges 13, while the forward edge of the body 11 is fringed as shown at 14a) extend to the diagonal. edge 15 extending to the perpendicular flange 13, whereby the water may pass very rapidl therealong so as to fall from the side anges without danger of being blown or running back portion 17' communicating with the opening 18, so that this opening 18 will form the gripping ears 19. Openings 20 are also formed in alinement adjacent the pocket 17, so that the cover may be pivotally secured to the spout 2 by passing a cotter pin 21 through the openings 20 formed in the rib 12 and the openings 10 formed in the spout 2. It is of course, obvious that when so desired the cotter pin may be withdrawn so as to allow the cover to be easily detached or removed from the spout 2.

When the device is in use the spout 2 is adapted to be driven into a tree. time the hook is of course carried by the spout so that when the spout has been secured, the bucket 16 may be positioned upon the hook as shown in Fig. 2. The cover for the sap bucket '16 may then be positioned upon the upper portions of the bucket so as to allow the openings 20 to register with the openings 10 for allowing the cotter pin 21 to be passed therethrough. The side flanges 13 will then overhang the side portions of the bucket 16, and therefore, since the cover fits snugly upon the upper portions of the bucket any danger of dirt or other refuse passing or falling into the bucket is eliminated. The cover may remain in the closed position shown in Fig. 1 until the bucket is filled. en, however, it is desired to have'access -to the interior of the bucket or to remove the same from engagement with the hook 8, the cover 11 may be swung upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2. This action will cause the gripping ears 19 to be spread apart as the body portion of the spout 2 passes through the cutout portions 18. As soon as these clamped ears have passed around the side portions of the spout 2 they will again spring to their normal positions as disclosed clearly in Fig. 3, at which time the spout will be extending through the pocket 17, and since the gripping ears 19 will engage the lower portions of the spout 2 the cover will be positively retained in the position shown in Fig.- 2. When, however, it'is desired to again position the cover upon the sap bucket'they may be gripped and then swung downwardly so as to cause the spout to move from the pocket 17 and pass the gripping ears 19, at which time the cover will assume the position shown clearly in Fig. 1. It is, of course, obvious that the resilient construction of the gripping. ears 19 will allow the spout to pass easily thereby when At this 4 into said pocketf after 1 ,easpee sufiicient pressure is brought to bear thereon, but their structure is of sufficient strength as to prevent the cover from accidentally swinging to a closed position when it is desired to retain the same in an open position.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very simple and efiicient cover for a sap bucket has been produced wherein the cover is adapted to be used in combination with any suitable spout, but preferably the one herein disclosedsoas to form a cover for preventing the passage of refuse into the sap bucket, while a simple and efiicient means has been provided for retaining the cover against accidental displacement from the cover portions of the bucket and also for retaining the cover in an open position as the occasion may require.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cover of the class described, the combination of a body having a central upstanding rib formed centrally thereon, said rib being provided with alined .openings,

a spout having'alined'openings, means pass ing through the openings in said rib and the openings in said spout for pivotally mounting said body upon-said spout, said body being adapted to be normally carried in a horizontal plane, and means engaging said spout as the cover is raised for releasably retaining said body in a vertical position.

2. In a cover of the class described, the combination of a body having a central upstanding rib formed centrally thereon, said rib being provided with alined'openings, a

spout having alined openings, means passing through the openings in said rib and the openings in said spout for pivotally mounting said body upon said spout, said body being adapted to be normally carried in a horizontal plane, said rib being provided in its top portion with a pocket and with a cut-out portion communicating with said pocket, thereby forming inwardly extending spout gripping ears, said body being adaptedto be swung upwardly so as to causesaid spout passessaid ears to be spread as which action said ears will spring to their normal positions beneathsaid spout for releasably retaining said body in a vertical positions In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

WILLIAM H. COTTON.

Copies-of this'patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing" the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington; I). 0. 

